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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

Class of '18 now in 2019. blimey.

949 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 14/01/2019 10:53

hang on....

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LoniceraJaponica · 09/02/2019 18:48

DD was never into HSM either.

Nettleskeins · 09/02/2019 20:31

kitten, I admit it seems crass stuff...but then I watched "Breaking Free" again (check it out on youtube) it was rather wonderful. There is NO proper story, that is the point I think!

I've just booked a glamping outing to a musical revue in late April in Scotland. I feel quite pleased with myself for being so adventurous..will there be midges I wonder or will it be so freezing that I will be saved from them...

LoniceraJaponica · 09/02/2019 20:43

I think you will more likely need your thermals than midge repellant Grin

PandaG · 10/02/2019 08:21

Glad DD's film marathon provoked so many memories!
We had a great evening with DS - choral evensong, not my type of music or service at all, but I could appreciate the beauty and musicality, the acoustics in the chapel are amazing. Then drinks in the Master's lodge, then formal hall, where we were seated with lots of his friends and their families, then drinks in the college bar. We are going to meet him for church today, then take him out for lunch and go home.

It has been lovely to meet some of his friends and their parents. He has fallen incredibly well with the people he is living with, and has made some great friendships. I know from this thread and other friends it could have been very different.

marmiteloversunite · 10/02/2019 08:34

What a lovely evening Panda! Sounds as if he is getting on really well. It is a relief to find that they have good friendships blossoming. My DD is very shy so I am grateful for every friendship she makes.

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 10/02/2019 09:37

That sounds lovely Panda! A really nice evening!

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Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 10/02/2019 10:03

We could have met up Grin
Having breakfast in cafe Nero, hotel was too expensive.

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PandaG · 10/02/2019 10:17

I have been wondering if we have walked past each other unawares kitten !
Glad you have found your DD settled too. :) x

UrsulaPandress · 10/02/2019 12:02

Is it a designated weekend to visit?

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 10/02/2019 16:41

It's half way through term and I think some colleges have fresher's parents events.

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PandaG · 10/02/2019 18:29

Yes, DS's college put on a parents' formal hall, with choral evensong before, and drinks in the Master's lodge. Was relatively expensive to go, but so lovely to meet a number of his friends and their parents. We can now put more than a face to a name. I was amused at the lack of embarrassment there was at wearing his gown...when he tried it on he felt a bit of a wally, but now it is just normal!

HesMyLobster · 11/02/2019 13:14

That sounds really lovely Panda, we did similar last term and it was so good to meet some of DD's friends and see where they eat and socialise. It has really helped this term as I can visualise where she is and who she's with.

We were huge HSM fans in this house - still are to be honest! Grin

UrsulaPandress · 11/02/2019 16:45

DD had just phoned to discuss the possibility of doing a semester abroad.

£10,000 to study in America Shock

Nettleskeins · 11/02/2019 17:06

it is a cheap way to go to a prestigious American University though. Usually, it is much more expensive for the Americans. Or so I'm told...And the 10,OOO presumably includes the accommodation, and you then get refund off in the uk part of the accommodation for that year (as a USA/EU/International candidate will probably book into your halls if you were in halls)

Anyway that is my friend's ds at RG, 's experience of semester in USA. As opposed to a whole year. Jan to June I think. He is loving it so far. (But only a month and a bit there) Another friend's son at a different US uni for a whole year on an exchange programme from Edinburgh, also loving the very structured work patterns, quite different from the more free flow Edinburgh workload. He likes the fact that you have to keep handing in "papers",rather than weeks to research essays which go into free fall. And he says there is less mooching in US. Humanities subject. [History]

It is all a bit early though isn't it, to start trying to get away from the university they've only just joined. I would feel a bit annoyed at having these choices thrown at me so early on.

UrsulaPandress · 11/02/2019 17:37

I presume she would get the £3000 University fees refunded but she would still have to pay for her room in the house so still looking at £7000 for one term. I could cash in some of my investments but really not sure it's worth it.

Knotaknitter · 11/02/2019 19:58

Ursula How does she plan to fund it?

(Yes, I know the assumption is that you would fund it but "Haha, no" is one possible answer to that)

Nettleskeins · 11/02/2019 20:06

is there the option to give up her house, live in halls again next Sept, and then just live for two terms in halls, and pay for two terms. that is presumably the solution if she really wanted to go. which is what my friend's ds did.

I've managed to renew my Irish passport online. I cannot quite believe it, and dd's frightful ghoulish grey picture of me with long greasy locks passed the passport digital photo test. the years I used to wait in line to get a renewal with wrongly spelt birth long form birth certificates other documents, witness declarations and signed photos. It is all so easy. technology all is forgiven!

UrsulaPandress · 12/02/2019 19:21

Had a look at the overseas stuff and a big chat with DD and she's decided not to pursue it. The literature says the tuition will be paid for so no idea what the stupendous costs are for. And most say that accommodation is not guaranteed.

PandaG · 12/02/2019 22:03

Ursula, sounds like a great opportunity but probably a good idea not to pursue it!

DS could do a language module or 2 next year, and then potentially a trip to Europe in the summer of 2020 to use the language - but there may be the possibility of travel grants. He'd quite like to do this, but be waiting to see quite what Brexit looks like to see if he thinks that there is any point!

DS is having a sociable few weeks, aunt and uncle visiting to take him out for lunch this weekend, DD is going at the end of half term for a couple of nights, and a friend from school is going for a night the week after, to attend formal hall and meet up with other school friends. He only had my dad visit last term, once, so I think him organising visits shows he is settled and wants to share what he is doing. We certainly aren't getting much communication from him!

NoHaudinMaWheest · 13/02/2019 10:43

I am back from Edinburgh for a bit. Mum is making good progress but is still happy to be looked after which suggests that she is feeling far from well. My brother and his wife are staying until the beginning of next week. DH and I were planning to go up later next week anyway to see dd during her reading week so we will still do that and see how Mum is doing.
Dd has been told she can have the same room in halls next year so that is one relief.
Ds is not really coping with his return to studies. I am going to meet with his disability advisor and him on Friday and can hopefully sort things out a bit.

Hardwickwhite · 13/02/2019 19:43

DD needs to stay in her uni town next week for reading week because she and her flat mate can’t see some of the potential flats till Wednesday. It has worked out well though, because DD2 will go and stay with her for a couple of days, then they will return together. The upshot of that is that since DD3 is on a school trip, DH and I will have the house to ourselves for at least one night for the first time in 19 years! What on earth will we do with ourselves Grin

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 13/02/2019 20:54

Some improvements to life then NoHaudin. I'm glad :) It's good your Mum is on the right path, even if it's going to take some time. It's good news re your dds room. Not so good about your ds. I hope the meeting is productive.

Goodness Hardwick! That will be a change. Pub visit without worrying when you've got to come back. Shan't comment about any other possibilities Wink

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MsAwesomeDragon · 14/02/2019 07:37

DD contacted me last night, which is rare. Apparently her mental health is not good at the minute and she's stopped going to lectures Sad. She's managed to refer herself to the well-being team in her college and is going to her first CBT session today. She can't/won't make an appointment for the GP though, despite the well-being team suggesting it as they can't prescribe any medication and they think she might need some at least short term.

I suggested that she could come home for a week or so, but she has tests/coursework starting tomorrow. Which of course she doesn't know anything for because she stopped going to lectures 3 weeks ago, but didn't want to worry me so didn't tell me. I'm going to go and see her tomorrow after work, but she won't let me help by doing things like making a GP appointment for her.

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 14/02/2019 07:40

That's so hard MrsAD. You must be worried. I'm really glad she's contacted you about it. Is it half term for you next week? Perhaps when you go to see her it will be easier to persuade her you can help.

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PandaG · 14/02/2019 07:55

Oh so sorry to hear that MrsAD. Good that she contacted you in the end though. Hoping your visit will help. Xx